iBook-Notebook Reviews

If you are going to school and need some place to put your lap top, this is the perfect bag for you! Put your books AND laptop in it! Very durable and it protects your laptop with padding!

I had seen this item elsewhere described as the MacAlly Icepad. Amazon's price was good. And the item was just what I wanted it to be. Lightweight, sturdy enough, able to fold fairly flat and slip inside my computer bag. Sets the laptop at an angle allowing air to circulate beneath the bottom. It still gets a little warm, but nowhere near as much as when I use the laptop without it. The rubbery surface on both sides keeps the computer in place on the Icepad and also steadies them both on your lap or in bed. Something else I really like is the elevation the angle gives the keyboard. Not only does it keep the iBook from overheating, it gives a more comfortable typing position, whether on a desk or on my lap. My iBook has a 14" screen. The Icepad is perfectly adequate for that.

I am very happy with this device. My computer does slide a bit when I am lazily lying in bed, using my 12" PowerBook, which isn't really heavy, but I like the cooling feature. My computer still gets warm, but it's better than before.

I got this bag for my 14" iBook. I'm a fan of quality and love well made products. I looked at Brenthaven's website and decided they were all about quality and that the $80 price for the Mobility 1 was well justified.

I was wrong. First I will concede that this bag is made with good materials, built to hold up to heavy use, and does in fact shield a laptop very well. HOWEVER, at $80 there are some serious design flaws that keep this bag from being really cool.
1. Bag is perpetually lopsided. When loaded with a laptop this thing will never stand up on a table top (flat surface) etc.
2. With this lopsided-ness the carrying handle becomes twisted in your hand whenever you use it. It's too thin and flimsy.
3. Now put the bag on your shoulder and it's still lopsided, but if you're talented you can make it work.
4. You can't remove the shoulder strap, and it doesn't have "swivel" hardware to keep it from getting all twisted up.
5. The front strap that holds the clasp for closing the front flap of the bag is not adjustable. This means if the bag isn't stuffed full the front flap can't be cinched tight. This adds even more to the bag's lopsidedness.

It appears Brenthaven rushed this bag to market in response to Apple's request for a small laptop bag. While it will protect your machine, you'll soon be pestered by its many design flaws.